Hamilton, Vettel, told to modify helmets in Austin

Two of F1’s biggest names had to pull out the gaffer-tape in Austin to fix up their offending helmet liveries.

The always-controversial Lewis Hamilton’s US-themed helmet attracted the most attention for its H.A.M. slogan, which according to street slang means ‘Hard as a motherf***er’.

“In light of the FIA’s recent reminder to all drivers not to swear, stencilling the letters on the back of his helmet was a particularly provocative act on Hamilton’s part and one which no doubt irritated his team,” journalist Tom Cary wrote in the Telegraph.

A McLaren spokesman said the decision to cover up the logo was taken “by mutual consent”.